My Dear Darwin

Your kind letter of the 19^th ult. crossed a brief note from me.¹ I am too much distracted with work at this season to write letters on our affairs, and if I once begin, I should not know where to stop. You have always been sympathising and just, and I appreciate your hearty congratulations on the success of our just endeavors.² You have since had much more to rejoice over, as well as to sorrow with us. But the noble manner in which our country has borne itself should give you real satisfaction. We appreciate too the good feeling of England in its hearty grief at the murder of Lincoln.³

Don’t talk about our “hating” you,—nor suppose that we want to rob you of Canada—for which nobody cares.⁴

We think we have been ill-used by you, when you thought us weak and broken.— & when we expected better things.⁵ We have learned that we must be strong to live in peace & comfort with England,—otherwise we should have to eat much dirt. But now that we are on our feet again, all will go well, and hatred will disappear. Indeed, I see little of that. We do not even hate the Rebels, and may not even execute so much of justice as to convict of treason & hang their President, whom we have just caught,—but I hope we shall,—hang the leader & spare the subordinates.⁶ We are now feeding the south, who starved our men taken prisoners.⁷

Slavery is thoroughly dead. We have a deal to do, but shall do it, I trust, and deserve your continued approbation. We have a load to carry—heavy, no doubt, but a young & re-invigorated country, with a future before it can do and bear, & prosper under what might stagger a full-grown, mature country of the Old world

I must look to the Plantago dimorphism: for, as you say, these plants, fertilised by wind, could gain nothing by being dimorphic. No dimorphic species grows very near here,—nor can I now get seeds of P. Virginica.⁸ Perhaps a good look at even dried specimens, under your hints, may settle the matter.

I was exceedingly interested with the Lythrum paper (but had no time to write a notice of it.),⁹ & I wait expectingly for your Climbing plants.¹⁰ You are the very prince of investigators.

We hope presently to make Mrs. Wedgwood’s acquaintance.¹¹

In great haste, dear Darwin, | Your affectionate | A. Gray

My wife’s cousin, Brace is in England, & hoping to see you.¹² I told him he must not take up your time, nor worry you with questions and talk. He is a good soul, but you will get nothing Scientific out of him. Social matters are in his way¹³

A.G.

P.S. 17^th. May | I missed the post. I have since had the pleasure to meet Mrs. Wedgwood, and to talk with her of You and Yours. A. G.

Thanks for the Times.—apparently from you.¹⁴